For all those who didn’t see Crieff High’s four night run of the West End show Our House at the beginning of this week you missed a treat.

From beginning to end this was an energy filled evening of up-tempo entertainment of the highest quality.

The young performers all excelled, showing that they can not only sing but act and dance as well.

Inspired by the music of Madness the show contains all of the bands greatest hits including Baggy Trousers, Driving in My Car, Our House and It Must Be Love.

But it isn’t just a musical tribute, the songs are interspersed within a very powerful storyline centering on the decisions that hero Joe Casey must take on the night of his 16th birthday – will they be good or bad.

Writer Tim Firth captures all of the angst, anxiety and humour of those all-important teenage years as the audience sees how life will unfold for both the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Joe.

At times this could be a little complicated, but the use of a revolving door (black on one side and white on the other) and the excellent staging, costumes and lighting, helped to keep the audience on track.

All of the cast deserve a mention as their enjoyment and enthusiasm shone through from the opening number to the final curtain. The choreography was first class and it was great to see the ensemble filling every corner of the multi-level set.

It is impossible to name everyone involved, however, mention must be made to the principals, who proved to be a very talented bunch.

Lorne MacNaughton was superb as Joe. His natural ability on stage was wonderful to watch and he held the show together with his poise and almost effortless professionalism. His quick costume changes were also something to be marvelled.

Playing opposite Lorne was Charlie Dawes as his girlfriend Sarah, who captured all our hearts with the emotional ‘It Must Be Love’ number.

Lurking in the shadows, but ever present is Joe’s dead father played with a cool assurance by Cole Luke; while Juliet Caldwell played Joe’s Ma, keen to keep her son on the straight and narrow.

Add into the mix Joe and Sarah’s school friends – Billie (Laura Cruickshank), Angie (Anya Brzeski), Emmo (Angus Mayall) and Lewis (Steven MacGregor). This fantastic quartet gave an injection of humour whenever they appeared on stage and had great chemistry with one another.

Then we have the menacing Reecey, played by Matthew Logan; Callum, an extremely loud Scotsman (Ross Ewing); the slick property developer Mr Pressman (Taylor Brown); and his secretary Julie (Jemma Jackson).

Setting the scene before the curtain rose and adding to the entertainment were teachers Mr Blacklaws and Mr McGarry, who are always up for a cameo role!

Hearty congratulations must be extended to Head of Music David Griffiths for having the vision and the motivation to put on such an ambitious production.

He also led the eight strong band who provided the uplifting musical accompaniment to the action on stage.

But these congratulations must also extend out to the many people who helped him in the process and including parents, staff, pupils, former pupils, volunteers, local community groups and neighbouring schools.

Well done everyone – your hard work certainly paid off. We now look forward with anticipation to the next production in two years-time.